Window Blinds: History and Types

Window Blinds: History and Types

There are different kinds of materials used as window blinds from textiles to panels, and colors that can match your home. It’s significant uses include blocking us from too much sunlight, and keeping heat from coming in inside our homes, and it serves as our privacy from outside.

There have been records that the ancient people use window blinds, too. Although they are different in terms of form, they basically have the same function.

People living in the desert use wet clothes to cover their windows. The wet clothes were used to cool off their houses and block sunlight from coming in. The ancient Egyptians and Chinese uses window blinds to avoid from being seen from outside, thus giving a sense of privacy.

The Egyptians used reeds strung together while the Chinese used bamboos. However, bamboos are still being used as a material for making blinds. And it is popularly seen in Asian countries.

It is said that the Venetian blinds came from Persia (now called Iran). Wherein, the traveling Venetian traders brought the blinds to Venice and Paris. Thus, these two countries were credited for as the inventors of the Venetian blinds.

During the 1950’s, the Venetian blinds were made of two inches wide metal slats and were hung with fabric strips. The fabric strips were the ones that control the lowering, raising, and tilting of the metal slats. These types of blinds tend to be noisy and offered less aesthetics for the room. Then in the 1980’s, the metal slats were replaced with an inch of wide vinyl slats. And because of the ease in manufacturing Vinyl slats, they became the standard choice of window blinds manufacturers.

There are so many types of window blinds being manufactured today. From vertical blinds to horizontal or rolled blinds. From plastic panels, to wood panels, to textiles. And because of this, you can buy your window blinds according to the style and colors of your home or office.

Bamboo Blinds
These blinds are made of bamboos and they are woven with rattan, reeds, and other natural grasses. It gives off a relaxing and inviting atmosphere to any room. This is a best choice if your place is Orient-themed. It is very easy to install, very durable, and eco-friendly.

Bali Blinds
These type of blinds totally blocks off any light coming in from any room. They are good energy savers because they reduce heat during hot season and insulate a room during cold season. Among the most popular Bali looks are pleated, cellular, sheer, roman and wooden blind types.

Roller Blinds
It is one of the most stable and efficient blinds out in the market. Roller blinds can be customized to fit any window size. They are also the most common type of blinds installed in homes and offices as they are easy to assemble and install, and easy to clean because it accumulates very little dust.

Wood Blinds
This type of blinds is crack resistant. Most manufacturers use hard wood. This blind have a wide range of finishes giving off a rich, warm, and inviting atmosphere. It also makes your space feel alluring and cozy.

Mini Blinds
They are also known as Venetian blinds, slats made of PVC or vinyl. This type of blinds is a practical choice for homes because they offer the same functions as what other blinds offers but at a low cost. Mini blinds are durable and easy to install.

Vinyl Blinds
Vinyl blinds are less expensive so they are popular. They are water- and moisture-resistant. Although they come in various colors, they cannot be used in larger rooms because of their limited sizes. These kinds of window blinds are best used in humid and wet areas inside your house, for example: bathroom and kitchen.

Vertical Blinds
This type of blinds is less likely to get damage from span winds. They are energy efficient and serve as good insulators for the room. Some vertical blinds are automated that adjusts itself according to the time of the day.

So, when choosing the kind of blinds for your home or office, keep in mind that quality comes first before price, brand, or look.